"This concealment is a bit absurd, isn't it?"
Andrew carried Barbara on his back, his hands clenched into fists, his arms hooked around Barbara's thighs.
The palms that hadn't sweated all the way back were now starting to sweat.
Just thinking, what kind of Fire Magic has such a level of stealth ability?!
If the other party wasn't wearing a Magic Apprentice's robe, Andrew would have thought the person in front of him wasn't an Earth Fire Mage, but a top Desert Hunter like Ivan, skilled in the Stealth Technique!
"Pete... senior."
Andrew called out the other's name.
The "Desert Eagle" overhead was gone.
This was good news.
Andrew didn't think he could avoid the eyes of the "Desert Eagle" above while dealing with the person in front of him.
Looking again at the other person—after calling him to a stop, the other did not call anyone else.
This should be because he wanted to monopolize the credit, so he deliberately didn't alert others.
Andrew felt slightly reassured: this was also good news.
The bad news is: just Pete alone was giving him immense pressure!
Even more than Raymond, even more than Barbara in her injured state before!
This was a Magic Apprentice named Pete of the Intermediate level.
Yes, only Intermediate.
After all, Andrew had worked in Humboldt's laboratory and recognized him.
But... was he really just Intermediate level?
Skipping past his "Water Spirit Sensing" can only be done by some advanced Fire Magic, that's the only way!
And having "Magic" itself implies: he's at least an Advanced Magic Apprentice.
It's even possible he's an Official Mage who passed the assessment!
"A wolf in sheep's clothing?"
Andrew didn't know why the other party deliberately played the role of an Intermediate Magic Apprentice on a daily basis.
What he knew was:
"I have to defeat this guy to bring Barbara back to camp."
"Ah, it is indeed Andrew?"
Pete stepped closer, a cheerful smile on his handsome face, "I wasn't sure, honestly, since your agility is quite good now. When I called you just now, you stopped instantly, almost like a Desert Hunter?
Hmm, you don't even cough anymore."
He seriously looked Andrew up and down, not hiding the admiration in his eyes, "Why do I feel like your appearance has improved a lot too, Andrew junior. Haha, if Lisa comes pestering me to sleep with her again, I'll push her to you."
The Lisa he spoke of was the social butterfly among the many apprentices in the lab, and quite promiscuous.
Of course, her looks and figure are indeed top-notch.
Andrew: "..."
A strange feeling surged in his heart.
The other's observational skills were extremely keen.
Yet they didn't show a hint of sharpness.
Almost like he didn't see Barbara on his back at all!
A night breeze blew through.
Barbara on his back seemed to feel a bit chilly, instinctively curling up a little in her unconscious state.
Andrew looked at Pete opposite him.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "Senior Pete, aren't you acting with the other seniors? How come you're here?"
Pete remained standing in place, neither approaching nor attacking, nor calling anyone.
He just shook his head with some helplessness: "I don't like commoners, but I don't like bullying them either. The others' actions... are a bit too much. I couldn't really watch, so I thought to go to a more secluded place, to hang out. Didn't expect to run into you, Andrew junior..."
"Water Spirit Sensing" was now consciously controlled by Andrew, tightened to a very small range.
As the coverage area shrank, the concentration naturally increased.
Andrew finally managed to capture a trace: the aura of the Fire Element inside the other!
Meanwhile, Andrew carefully observed every detail in the other's words and actions, missing not even the smallest one.
The result was——
No trace of acting at all.
Andrew couldn't help but be stunned: "So he is sincere? Does he really detest those Magic Thugs? Does he hide his true strength just to avoid going along with other Magic Apprentices?
Could there actually be some good people in the Magic Guild faction?"
In his palm, he held a hidden stone.
This was intended for emergencies on the way, when any situation that couldn't be avoided appeared.
After all, his Stone Throwing is currently his only offensive means.
Let's just treat it as a low-grade version of "Water Ball Technique."
At this moment, Andrew held the stone in his hand.
Always searching for the opportunity to strike.
The result was... plenty of opportunities to strike!
Pete on the opposite side really seemed completely unguarded.
He looked as approachable as a sincere senior meeting a junior!
"Well... junior, you don't need to be so tense."
Pete sighed, not only did he not come closer, but he even took a step back as if to avoid any misunderstanding, "I saw the girl on your back, she's the one Professor Humboldt wants us to find, right? But you don't need to be so on guard against me, I don't intend to do anything to you."
At this point, Andrew didn't even know what to say.
As someone who possesses the Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, it's the first time he didn't have the urge to snuff out someone from the Magic Guild!
Pete took a step back, then sidestepped to make way: "Are you going back to the temporary camp? Go ahead. I won't tell the professor or anyone else."
Yet Andrew stood still.
Frowning at Pete, he asked in a deep voice, "Senior, are you... serious?"
He thought to himself, if this is acting, you are way too good at it, aren't you?
Not only comparable to a movie king, it outright surpasses that level.
Pete shrugged and said: "I know you find it hard to believe. But... you and I are actually alike, aren't we?"
At this, a trace of helplessness and desolation appeared on Pete's handsome face: "Professor Humboldt said you'd die within seven days, yet you have such physical prowess and don't even cough. So you definitely have secrets, Andrew, right? I... am the same.
Being an apprentice under Professor Humboldt is actually very challenging. I, like you, also have... well, never mind that."
He looked at Andrew and lowered his voice: "You should take the beautiful young lady on your back and go. If you can, head to Baal Town! Otherwise, your secrets won't stay hidden past seven days; as soon as the professor finds out you're alive, he'll dig out whatever secret you have."
At this point, Pete's expression suddenly changed.
Simultaneously, Andrew's expression altered slightly.
Through Water Spirit Sensing, he could perceive a small team of Magic Thugs seemingly approaching.
Pete snorted and said: "Junior, go on, I'll help you lead them away. Remember, head to Baal Town, and once there, don't return. Just consider it... a little warmth between people who have hidden secrets."
With that, he didn't linger and turned to head in the direction of the approaching people.